Cannabis has been used to treat ADHD in children since the 1800s. In 1839, Dr. William B. O’Shaughnessy published a paper on cannabis and its medical benefits, one of which was the treatment of ADHD in children. My observation (as a Crises Reponder and parent of a teen with ADHD) is that many teens are looking to self-medicate with cannabis to mitigate their struggles with ADHD – they basically just want to get through the day and cope with what they are struggling with. In Canada, where cannabis has been legalized, access is not a problem.

People are still debating on whether it is okay for teens to use cannabis. Some people think that it’s not a good idea because of the possible negative effects on the brain. However, there is a growing belief that teens should be allowed to use cannabis if they have ADHD because it can help them focus and calm down.

Should parents decide whether their children are to use cannabis or not? What are the long term consequences of allowing our children to use cannabis to cope?

Thanks for reading, cannabis as a coping strategy has been on my mind lately – what are your thoughts?